The dialectics of customary law and islamic law: An experience from dou donggo customs of bima, indonesia

Abstract

This article aims to critically study the shift of Donggo Customs and traditions due to its dialectics with Islamic law. The Donggo customary law is based on the traditional practices and local wisdom of their ancestors that are believed to have noble values and truth. Since the 17th Century, the dialectics signified by the Bima kingdom’s political system changes from the old customs into Islamic law. This has influenced all aspects of the Bima people’s live, including the Donggo community. This is qualitative research, with data from interviews and document studies. This study reveals that the Donggo Community’s customary law, preserved and practiced today, comes from the dialectics between customary law and Islamic law. The practiced traditions include baja sentence, the flogging law, the mbolo weki culture, maja labo dahu and raju ritual. In Islamic law, such traditions are called ‘urf or al-‘ādah, which are living traditions in a society used as legal sources and recognized by Islamic legal scholars. Customary law implemented by the Donggo indigenous people is considered substantially similar to Islamic teachings. So, Donggo customs, corresponding with the Islamic law (‘urf ṣaḥīh), are maintained, while the contradicting ones (‘urf fāsid) are abandoned.